Recommended Reading: Factory - Mick Middles.

This won't be the last time I mention a Mick Middles book in our recommended reading section. Middles has written with, and about, such influential musicians as The Fall, Elbow and Joy Division. This book is an account of Tony Wilson's Factory Records. Label of Joy Division/New Order, and later the Happy Mondays.

Factory adopted a punk attitude, starting from a bedroom and encapsulating a generation of forward thinking music fans. Factory opened a venue, The Hacienda, which became the centre of the UK music scene, they saw New Order's 'Blue Monday' become the biggest selling single of all time, and released a string of huge albums. But all was not well within Factory, The Hacienda was a financial blow out, bands and releases were mismanaged, and Factory splurged their cash reserves away before eventually going bust.

Contracts written in blood, Singles which made a 5p loss on every sale, and amazing promotion. Factory is a story that we can learn both good and bad practice from. I suggest you do your research.

A DVD of the Factory Records story, 24 Hour Party People, was released in 2002. Steve Coogan and co present the Factory story. It's strongly recommended (may have to buy myself a second copy for when mine inevitably gets worn out).